Charges dropped against Stapleton teacher after alleged terror threat at Fort Hamilton High School

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A Brooklyn grand jury dismissed all charges yesterday against Sabrina Milo, the art teacher from Stapleton who allegedly told colleagues that she would wreak "Columbine all over again" at her Brooklyn high school.

According to the grand jury, the facts of the case did not support the charge of terroristic threat. Conviction on the charge, a legacy of the 9/11 attacks, brings a maximum seven-year prison sentence.

According to prosecutors, two teachers at Fort Hamilton High School heard Ms. Milo make the threat. She continued to teach until she was arrested several days later, on April 1.

Ms. Milo allegedly said she'd bring a machine gun into the school under her trench coat to "settle some scores."

According to a published report, Ms. Milo's attorney, Andrew Stoll, said she is "thrilled that the case has been dismissed but it's not over for her until she gets back in the classroom and with the kids she has been teaching for years."

Working in her favor, he said, were letters written by more than 40 students, teachers and parents testifying that the Ms. Milo they know wouldn't harm anyone.

Ms. Milo expressed relief in an interview with WABC-TV.

Asked by the reporter what she meant by the Columbine comment -- two students slaughtered 13 school mates at the Colorado high school in 1999 -- Ms. Milo said, "I wasn't thinking; I was exercising poor judgment.

"The door was shut. It was adults. Many times we have gathered together and vented in our own ways.

"I didn't mean anything by it. It was just an expression of my frustration."

Ms. Milo had been held on $100,000 bail; police worried she might have access to guns through her husband, a military veteran and JROTC teacher. Stoll has said she has no weapons, and she needs medication.

Students described her as eccentric but praised her ability and dedication.

It will be up to the city Department of Education to determine if and when Ms. Milo, who has been on paid leave, will return to the classroom.

Late last year, she was suspended for an undisclosed reason, although students at the school told the Daily News she'd rapped a student's hand with a ruler.